Supervisor, Avionics Manufacturing - Harnessing Verified today

About Vast

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure. Haven Demo became the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft in 2025. Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches in 2027. Vast also recently announced Vast Satellite, a high-power satellite product line. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Vast has more than 1,000 employees and has raised over a billion dollars in private capital.

The Role

You will serve as Supervisor of Avionics Manufacturing - Harnessing, reporting to the Manager of Avionics Manufacturing. This is a full-time, exempt position in Long Beach supporting the development of systems for artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

Shift: Second shift, 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM

Responsibilities

• Organize, coordinate, prioritize, and communicate day-to-day wire harness fabrication and assembly work assignments for the second shift technician team, ensuring seamless continuity from first shift operations.
• Lead, mentor, and model a strong work ethic, safety culture, and quality-first mindset on the production floor.
• Train and onboard new team members in harness assembly techniques, workmanship standards, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 requirements, ensuring all personnel meet certification expectations.
• Support technicians in daily tasks including crimping, soldering, connector assembly, bundling, lacing, and harness routing in accordance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 acceptance criteria.
• Assist with optimizing the wire harness manufacturing process, considering factors such as cycle time, yield, quality, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining compliance with IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 2 and Class 3 standards.
• Participate in design reviews, providing practical insight to improve the manufacturability, routability, and reliability of wire harness assemblies.
• Collaborate with quality assurance teams to establish, maintain, and enforce rigorous quality control processes aligned with IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship standards, including in-process inspections and final acceptance testing.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to reduce defects, minimize rework, eliminate waste, and improve overall harness assembly quality and throughput.
• Meet demanding second shift production schedules to achieve high output rates while maintaining IPC/WHMA-A-620 compliance and adapting to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked production area, including tool control, consumable inventory, and support of build infrastructure.
• Read and interpret technical drawings, wire lists, harness schematics, and work instructions to support assembly and inspection activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in a technical field, with a strong preference for candidates with a background in wire harness or aerospace cable assembly manufacturing.
• 3+ years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role, with demonstrated ability to guide, motivate, and manage production teams.
• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• In-depth understanding of wire harness fabrication processes including crimping, soldering, over-molding, potting, connector insertion/extraction, and continuity/hipot testing.
• Working knowledge of and experience operating within a formal quality management system such as AS9100, ISO 9001, or equivalent.
• IPC/WHMA-A-620 CIS or CIT certification, with the ability to train and evaluate technicians to IPC workmanship standards.
• Experience with IPC-A-600, IPC J-STD-001, or other relevant IPC standards as they relate to harness and cable assembly manufacturing.
• Familiarity with military and aerospace harness standards such as MIL-DTL-22759, MIL-SPEC wire, AS22759, and NASM hardware specifications.
• Experience creating and maintaining manufacturing documentation such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions, and Inspection Criteria aligned with IPC/WHMA-A-620.
• Experience with CAD or harness design tools (such as Siemens Capital or similar) for reviewing harness drawings and wire lists.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to perform structured root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective actions for workmanship defects.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and process improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen) as applied to harness production.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with ability to interface effectively with engineering, quality, and program management teams.
• Strong attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to producing harness assemblies that meet or exceed IPC/WHMA-A-620 Class 3 acceptance criteria.

Additional Requirements

• Availability to work second shift on a consistent schedule, with willingness to work overtime or weekends to support critical production milestones.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted.

Compensation

Base salary range: $96,760 to $137,352 USD. Salary varies based on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand.

Full-time employees receive company equity and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off (20+ days vacation for exempt staff); paid parental leave; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; ClassPass credits; mental healthcare through Spring Health; and free snacks, coffee, cold drinks, and dinner meals, with subsidized lunch.

Export Control Requirement

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore must either be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.